Elbow and forearm

Patient and part

Lower the shoulder so it lies in the same plane as the elbow. For the AP elbow, extend the elbow fully, supinate the hand and keep the humeral epicondyles parallel to the IR. For the lateral elbow, flex to 90 degrees, place the epicondyles perpendicular to the IR and turn the hand lateral, thumb up. For the AP oblique with medial rotation, pronate the hand and rotate the arm about 45 degrees medially. For the AP oblique with lateral rotation, rotate the arm about 45 degrees laterally. The forearm is always taken AP with the hand supinated, never PA, because pronation crosses the radius over the ulna. The AP and lateral forearm must include both the wrist and elbow joints.